That Illinois joined the likes of New York, New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania in topping the list of states with a decreasing population should come as no surprise, Republican House hopeful Darren Bailey argues.

“This is what happens after years of mismanagement and one-party control where the party in power keeps pushing the same tired and failed policies,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “People should be angry that a state like Illinois is at such a low point, but I can’t see them being surprised.”

Cynthia Given

A new Cato Institute study found that residents from high-tax states like Illinois are fleeing at a much higher rate than people in states where lawmakers have found a way to keep taxes under control.

Researchers found that of the 25 states with the highest taxes, all but one recently suffered a net loss in migration. In contrast, of the 25 states with the lowest level of taxes 17, or 70 percent, had a net increase in migration over that same period.

As recently as 2016, Illinois lost as many as 42,000 residents and as much as nearly $5 billion in personal wealth to outmigration.

Running against Democrat Cynthia Given in the 109th District in November’s general election, Bailey notes that mass exodus came before lawmakers enacted a 32-percent permanent income tax hike last year and before Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker began pushing the idea of a progressive tax as part of his campaign platform.

“And you have to keep in mind, Illinois already has some of the highest property taxes in the country,” Bailey said. “You have to wonder how much more people are expected to take before saying enough is enough.”

The 109th House District includes Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.

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